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Astronomy and Space Sciences (91)
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Chasing the EclipseIan Elkin & Norma Bailey 1979 23 minA group of amateur astronomers and eclipse-chasers arrive in Canada from Warren, Michigan, to view a total eclipse of the sun near Brandon, Manitoba. The film follows them through their preparations, the "chase," and finally the eclipse. -
Cosmic ZoomRobert Verrall 1968 8 minThis short animation transports us from the farthest conceivable point of the universe to the tiniest particle of existence, an atom of a living human cell. The art of animation and animation camera achieve this exhilarating journey with a freshness and clarity. Without words.
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The Death of Kao-KukLuc Chamberland 2015 5 minThe famous Canadian astronaut Kao-Kuk is just coming back from a dangerous deep space mission in a transdimensional rift. But back home at the astro station, a deeper, even more deadly mystery awaits, threatening his impending doom.
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Eclipse at Grand'Mère1964 6 minThis six-minute short documentary captures the eclipse of July 20, 1963, in the small town of Grand-Mère, Quebec. The eclipse was plainly visible and attended by scientists, stargazers, and an influx of visitors who came to see it and join in the accompanying festivities.
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Hubert Reeves: Star TellerIolande Cadrin-Rossignol 2002 52 minHubert Reeves is an astrophysicist whose honours from the scientific community include the Albert Einstein award. But Reeves is known to the public as a wonderful popularizer of scientific ideas, possessed of an exceptional talent at combining science and humanism.
As a child growing up near Lac St-Louis in Quebec, Reeves was fascinated by nature and its relationship to the rest of the universe. This fascination led him to Cornell University, where he studied with some of the great scientific minds of the 20th century. A raconteur, Reeves tells stories about his remarkable professors, men like Hans Bethe, Philip Morrrison and Bob Wilson, whose research led to the atom bomb. Reeves also offers revealing anecdotes about Einstein, Niels Bohr, Oppenheimer and Teller.
With his usual enthusiasm, Reeves highlights milestones in astrophysics, showing us a view of the moon as seen by Galileo in 1609, and remarkable photos of galaxies colliding billions of light-years away. Along with stunning visuals, we listen as Reeves explains history and theory in a highly accessible way.
A committed ecologist, Reeves warns about the deterioration of our planet. In the face of explosive economic globalization, Reeves believes that the globalization of ecological movements offers hope. -
The Moon ChangesSylvain Charbonneau 2000 1 minA clip in the Science Please! collection, The Moon Changes uses archival footage, animated illustrations and amusing narration to explain what causes the different phases of the moon.
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Mirrors of TimeJean-Jacques Leduc 1990 23 minThis short animated film delves into the mysteries of time: how calendars came to be; why the seasons change; why the year is divided into days, etc. From Babylon to 16th-century Europe, this film presents the history of the measurement of time.
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The Northern LightsAlan Booth 1992 47 minThis feature length documentary examines the phenomenon of the northern lights, aka the aurora borealis. Though scientists have advanced many theories in an attempt to explain it, mysteries still linger. Experience a visual panorama of animated legends and international space launches as indigenous people and scientists offer their perceptions of the wondrous northern lights.
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NFB Space School - Health - Lesson 1 - Chapter 1 - What Does It Take?Rohan Fernando & Eva Madden 2015 5 minDescribes the kind of candidates that NASA and CSA are looking for.
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NFB Space School - Health - Lesson 2 - Chapter 2 - Exercising in SpaceRohan Fernando & Eva Madden 2015 6 minDescribes the equipment and techniques used by astronauts to exercise in space.
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NFB Space School: The Hadfield Journey - Chapter 17 - The Next AdventureRohan Fernando 2015 3 minChris Hadfield discusses his plans as a retired astronaut and what lies in store for this new stage in his life.
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NFB Space School: The Hadfield Journey - Chapter 15 - ReturnRohan Fernando 2015 5 minChris Hadfield describes how he and his crew departed the ISS and returned to Earth in a Soyuz.
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NFB Space School: The Hadfield Journey - Chapter 12 - LaunchRohan Fernando 2015 5 minChris Hadfield describes Expedition 34/35 launch to space in a Soyuz rocket.
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NFB Space School: The Hadfield Journey - Chapter 8 - AlliesRohan Fernando 2015 3 minInterview with Chris Hadfield in which he describes how he, a former Canadian cold war fighter pilot, helped join together the American and Russian space programs.
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NFB Space School - Health - Lesson 2 - Chapter 1 - Physical PreparationRohan Fernando & Eva Madden 2015 5 minDescribes how astronauts prepare their bodies to be able to work in space.
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NFB Space School: The Hadfield Journey - Chapter 13 - CommandRohan Fernando 2015 5 minChris Hadfield describes arriving at the ISS and his general activities on board the Space Station, including becoming the first Canadian Commander of the ISS.
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NFB Space School - Astrogeology - Lesson 5 - Chapter 3 - Extracting ResourcesScott Simpson 2014 4 minProposed methods and procedures for extracting resources from asteroids and other planets in the future.
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NFB Space School - Astrogeology - Lesson 3 - Chapter 4 - Remote Sensing & Ground TruthingScott Simpson 2014 3 minRemote Sensing and Ground Truthing. Procedures and technologies used to study celestial bodies.
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NFB Space School - Astrogeology - Lesson 4 - Chapter 2 - Plate TectonicsScott Simpson 2014 2 minPlate Tectonics. Describes plate tectonics and how the geology of the Earth is in constant motion.
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NFB Space School: The Hadfield Journey - Chapter 7 - ContenderRohan Fernando 2015 2 minInterview with Chris Hadfield in which he speaks about how dreams remain just dreams if you don't seize your opportunities.
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NFB Space School: The Hadfield Journey - Chapter 11 - ScarsRohan Fernando 2015 4 minChris describes how a small medical issue nearly destroyed his opportunity to go to space for the third time.
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NFB Space School - Health - Lesson 4 - Chapter 2 - Leadership and TeamworkRohan Fernando & Eva Madden 2015 5 minHow astronauts learn to be good leaders as well as followers.
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ResearchPatrick Bossé 2023 13 min
Laurie is a resident astronomer at the prestigious Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. On the summit of Mauna Kea, this Quebec scientist is helping unravel the mysteries of star formation.
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NFB Space School - Health - Lesson 1 - IntroductionRohan Fernando & Eva Madden 2015 46 sHost Jeremie Saunders introduces us to Health for Astronauts (Lesson 1).
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NFB Space School - Health - Lesson 3 - Chapter 2 - TrainingRohan Fernando & Eva Madden 2015 3 minDescribes how astronauts train in the Space Suit here on Earth.
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NFB Space School - Astrogeology - Lesson 5 - Chapter 2 - Search for LifeScott Simpson 2014 5 minHow hydrothermal activity in impact craters can lead to the genesis of life.
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NFB Space School - Astrogeology - Lesson 1 - Chapter 1 - What Is Astrogeology?Scott Simpson 2014 4 minDescribes the discipline of Astro-geology, why astronauts study geology, and how Devon Island prepares astronauts for space exploration.
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NFB Space School - Astrogeology - Lesson 2 - Chapter 2 - What Is an Impact?Scott Simpson 2014 5 minDescribes an impact event through its various stages using Devon Island as a point of reference.
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NFB Space School: The Hadfield Journey - Chapter 5 - DoubtsRohan Fernando 2015 4 minChris describes how he finally decided to move forward on becoming an astronaut and how the Challenger disaster nearly ended his life long dream.
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NFB Space School: The Hadfield Journey - Chapter 4 - CanadianRohan Fernando 2015 1 minInterview with Chris Hadfield in which he speaks about how travels abroad can provide valuable insight to life at home.
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NFB Space School - Astrogeology - Lesson 4 - Chapter 1 - Layers of the EarthScott Simpson 2014 4 minLayers of the Earth. Describes the structure (layers) of the Earth and how impact craters allow us to study this.
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NFB Space School - Astrogeology - Lesson 4 - Chapter 3 - Comparing Earth to Other PlanetsScott Simpson 2014 3 minComparing Earth to Other Planets. Comparing the surface conditions of Earth to the moon, Mars and Venus.
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NFB Space School - Health - Lesson 5 - Chapter 5 - Studying the Effects of MicrogravityRohan Fernando & Eva Madden 2015 4 minHow studying the impacts of microgravity on astronauts can benefit humanity.
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NFB Space School - Health - Lesson 5 - Chapter 4 - Returning to GravityRohan Fernando & Eva Madden 2015 4 minThe impact of gravity on the astronaut’s body upon return to Earth.
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OriginsPatrick Bossé 2023 17 min
Laurie’s worldview is unique, drawing from elements of both Innu culture and her scientific knowledge. Her insight makes her an inspiring guest speaker for four high-school girls.
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CollaborationPatrick Bossé 2023 14 min
Laurie and her intern Justine talk about the role women play in the field of astrophysics, and the creation of SIGNALS, the massive project headed by Laurie.
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NFB Space School: The Hadfield Journey - Chapter 16 - StorytellerRohan Fernando 2015 3 minChris Hadfield discusses the many accomplishments during his career as an astronaut and how he hopes to share his experiences in the future.
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ObservationPatrick Bossé 2023 16 minLaurie returns to the Ashuapmushuan Wildlife Reserve to meet with her father. Here, as a child, she honed her sense of observation, which today serves her well in her astronomy career.
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NFB Space School - Health - Lesson 3 - Chapter 1 - The SuitRohan Fernando & Eva Madden 2015 5 minDescribes the characteristics of the Space Suit and how to put it on.
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NFB Space School: The Hadfield Journey - Chapter 6 - Test PilotRohan Fernando 2015 2 minInterview with Chris Hadfield in which he speaks about how, In pursuit of a dream, you must be prepared for the many challenges that await.
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NFB Space School: The Hadfield Journey - Chapter 1 - DreamerRohan Fernando 2015 2 minInterview with Chris Hadfield showing what you can accomplish when you pursue your dreams.
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NFB Space School - Astrogeology - Bonus Material - Canadian ContributionScott Simpson 2014 4 minDescribes Canadian contribution in the past and present, impact craters in Canada and how they provide training opportunities for astronauts.
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NFB Space School - Health - Lesson 4 - Chapter 1 - Mental Health for AstronautsRohan Fernando & Eva Madden 2015 6 minHow astronauts train for the mental and psychological challenges of working and living in Space.
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NFB Space School: The Hadfield Journey - Chapter 10 - ColumbiaRohan Fernando 2015 4 minChris describes what it was like to hear the news of the Columbia disaster and how he and his colleagues confronted this terrible event.
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NFB Space School: The Hadfield Journey - Chapter 14 - SacrificeRohan Fernando 2015 5 minChris Hadfield describes how he and his crew repaired an ammonia leak during their mission on the ISS.
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NFB Space School: The Hadfield Journey - Chapter 3 - CadetRohan Fernando 2015 1 minInterview with Chris Hadfield in which he speaks about how self-discipline can help you become whatever you want to be.
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LightPatrick Bossé 2023 14 min
Laurie and her intern Justine Giroux take a dive into Hawaiian culture and tour the impressive CFHT observatory, more than 4,200 metres above sea level.
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PFFFSusan Wolf 2012 1 minA revolution is kicked off when one little cloud has enough of the sun’s tyranny.
Produced as part of the 8th edition of the NFB’s Hothouse apprenticeship. -
Satellites of the SunSidney Goldsmith 1974 12 minFilm animation and a knowledge of outer space bring to the screen this spectacular, awe-inspiring view of our solar system. Staggering distances are eliminated through the art of film: before our eyes is displayed the wonder of the universe. Moon, Mercury, Mars, Saturn, Venus, Earth and all the other satellites and lesser matter in space are seen in amazing detail and perspective in their eternal orbits around the sun.
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Shadow ChasersJean Marc Larivière , Carlos Ferrand , … 2000 58 minThis feature-length documentary is a portrait of eclipse chasers, people for whom solar eclipses - among nature's more spectacular phenomena – are a veritable obsession. The film follows 4 of them as they travel incredible distances to witness the last total eclipse of the millennium as it sweeps eastward across Europe to India. At various points along the way enthusiasts Alain Cirou in France, Paul Houde in Austria, Olivier Staiger in Germany and Debasis Sarkar in India offer their impressions of the historic event.
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Science Please! Part 22001 15 minThe Science Please! collection uses archival footage, animated illustrations and amusing narration to explain various scientific discoveries and phenomena.
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Scientifiq PiqniqPaloma Dawkins 2013 1 minAn adventure through the cosmic unveiling of the beautiful and strange macro/micro structures that unite us with the Universe.
Produced as part of the 9th edition of the NFB’s Hothouse apprenticeship. -
UniverseRoman Kroitor & Colin Low 1960 28 minA triumph of film art, creating on the screen a vast, awe-inspiring picture of the universe as it would appear to a voyager through space, this film was among the sources used by Stanley Kubrick in his 2001: A Space Odyssey. Realistic animation takes you into far regions of space, beyond the reach of the strongest telescope, past Moon, Sun, and Milky Way into galaxies yet unfathomed.
